HINT: Saving Money May Not Be the Most Important One

Now, do me a favor: DON’T cheat and sneak a look at the bottom of the article. (Or at least if you do, come back up here and see what you missed.) You know I am a huge proponent of managed print services. Naturally, it’s one of the major things we offer. But I “push it” because I have seen so many cases where print supply chain management has made a huge positive difference in a company’s cost structure and workflow.

I’m an even bigger advocate thanks to some research I’ve been doing lately, because there’s another reason I don’t usually talk about. And I’ll get to that. (Forgive me for going a little “Ryan Seacrest” with that stalling tactic.) But first, let’s look at several reasons that make the decision to use managed print services a “no-brainer” in the business world. read more…

Predicting Your Downfall Can Help You Avoid It

I know that first headline sounds pretty dark. But it’s actually the best way to ensure a bright future for your company and its people. If those buggy whip manufacturers in the 1890’s had followed this advice, they might be working on electric cars today.

I recently came across an insightful Forbes article about this (more on that in a moment). But let’s just say I now realize even more strongly the importance of helping our customers stay a step ahead of whatever is coming their way. Tools and technologies like our supply chain management process are critical to doing that. read more…

What Kind of Reflection Do You Create In Others?

This time of year, I seem to get a bit more reflective and sentimental and veer off of the path of print management and promotional items. I don’t think that’s a bad thing. (In fact, it might do us good to think that way all year round.) Anyway, it’s especially during the holiday season that videos like this one, really make me think.

I shared it on social media last week; check it out now below if you haven’t yet seen it.

The story it highlights is uplifting and a reminder of the natural goodness of people. But something David Flood says near the end of the piece really resonates with me. read more…

An Easier Workday is a More Productive Workday

I saw an interesting item the other day about the newest version of iOS (the Apple operating system). It includes changes that make its “Do Not Disturb” feature more useful. New tweaks make it even more useful for helping us do important things, like focus more at the office, and get more sleep at home. Both help us to be not only more productive but happier!

We all have stressful days at work, with too many things on the list and too many demands to make a dent on that list. The classic “Willloughby” episode of The Twilight Zone shows a businessman feeling the effects of that stress. But many research studies (like this one from Scientific American) show that when we try too hard to do too many things without taking a break, we actually get less done. read more…

Research Suggests Measuring Success in Minutes, Not Money

I’m going to go out on a limb here. I would guess that if you asked most people what it would take to make them feel successful, not very many of them would answer ‘print supply chain management.” But based on some research I recently read about, it’s not such a far-fetched idea. Here’s why.

In a recent post on inc.com, Jeff Haden (whose writing I enjoy) talked about a survey in which 1,000 Americans were asked what sort of lifestyle “upgrades” it would take to make them feel successful. The results of the survey, conducted by Discover, were quite interesting. read more…

And the Winners for Best Holiday Corporate Gifts for 2018 Are…

Okay, you were probably expecting to find one of those “lists” so popular on the Internet. Sorry to disappoint you, but anyone who promises to share “the best holiday corporate gifts for 2018” isn’t really trying to help you. They’re just selling stuff. If you want promotional items that really work for your business, you deserve more thoughtful options, based on your situation.

I admit that I sometimes offer up lists of things I think are fun, or interesting. But here’s a dose of truth. Chances are, your business is very different from even those in your own industry, let alone those in totally different categories. So no generic list of “the best corporate holiday gifts” or “the best promotional items for 2018” can truly take your unique needs into consideration. read more…

THE BEST Safety Clothing and Workwear That is Up to The Job CAN BE YOURS

We all know those small towns in Indiana can produce some legendary basketball teams. (If you’ve never seen “Hoosiers” you’re missing something!) But did you know they also produce some pretty legendary safety clothing and workwear? In 1915, Berne® Workwear was founded in tiny Berne, Indiana. Its mission was to provide Midwestern farmers with the clothing they needed to get their important work done. Clothing that was a lot like the farmers themselves: rugged and reliable.

Berne has been outfitting busy, hardworking Americans with safety clothing and workwear that lives up to those standards ever since. Berne apparel is made to to be comfortable, durable, and affordable. That’s why we’ve partnered with them to offer it to our hardworking clients. read more…

Check Out Some Returns You’re Really Going to Like

Happy Election Day! I’d like to spend today’s post doing a little campaigning myself – but not for any politician. You may not be running for office, today, but chances are good you’re running an office. Want that office to operate more smoothly? Then you are an excellent candidate for print management.

Unlike some candidates, print management keeps its promises to make a big difference in your business and your workday. In honor of today, let’s examine the “planks” in the print management platform. read more…

Meditation is a Business Skill

On Tuesday, I shared that I was motivated to investigate mindfulness and guided imagery thanks to our CMO, who practices it regularly. I was originally a bit skeptical, but I learned that it can help you focus on business and de-stress your workday. (The same thing print management helps you do, as I pointed out.)

Mindfulness sounds like a pretty “cosmic” concept, but as I poked around the internet and other sources, I learned that it is actually quite the opposite. Mindfulness helps you appreciate where you are and focus on the most important things each moment. And it applies whether you’re planning your future or sweeping the floor. read more…

Be Mindful. Be Productive. Be Done.

I’m going to take a step away from my usual business topics today and discuss something that may sound a little more “cosmic” than usual. But I’ve come to believe it can make a big difference in your business day if you are open to it. Let me just start by saying the distance between meditation and print management is shorter than you might think.

Our CMO was telling me the other day how she practices guided meditations each morning with her 13-year-old. I thought it was a little weird to be honest. But she said that being “mindful” helps her with her work, and who am I to get in the way of that? So I started poking around a bit about that buzzword “mindfulness” and found some interesting info from healthjourneys. read more…